Louis Simão

“Great and supportive instruction with coaching appropriate to my level. An inspiration to do more and learn more." Participant, 2014 LFM camp

Toronto-based musician, Louis Simão has been composing, performing and recording as a multi-instrumentalist in a variety of genres for twenty years. 2016 marked the release of his much-anticipated solo album, “A Luz” (The Light) – a collection of Simão’s own compositions and arrangements. Joined by the best cross-genre musicians Toronto has to offer, Simão takes the listener on a journey through the sounds of the Portuguese-speaking world as experienced through the life of this first-generation Canadian son of Portuguese immigrants. His cultural background combined with his jazz sensibility and chamber music compositional style come together to create a voice that is at once universal while remaining deeply personal. Co-produced by Luis (Luisito) Obregoso and recorded by John Bailey at The Drive Shed, Simão’s tunes easily shift from samba to folkloric to funk to lush string and woodwind arrangements. Accompanying Simão on stage for this new solo project will be Luis (Luisito) Obregoso, David French, Rich Brown, Bill McBirnie & Marito Marques.

As a sideman, Louis Simão has performed and/or recorded with Nelly Furtado, Dominic Mancuso (2010 JUNO winner), Michael Occhipinti’s Sicilian Jazz Project (2009 JUNO nominee), Kiran Ahluwalia, Luis Mario Ochoa, Justin Rutledge, Guinga, Henrique Cazes, Patricia Cano, Daniela Nardi’s Espresso Manifesto, Sophie Milman, Bill McBirnie, “MARIA SEVERA” at The Shaw Festival, Tapestry New Opera Works, Eliana Cuevas, Aline Morales and Luanda Jones. Described as “utterly unique” (CBC Radio One), he was the winner of the 2007 USA Songwriting Competition in the World Music category with his song, “Fado Torto”. Simão has opened for Cesaria Evora and Celso Machado, shared a night with Brazilian reggae stars Chico Cesar and Rita Ribeiro, toured Portugal (2006); and in 2008, was the invited artist of the Portuguese Consulate and the Instituto Camões at the Festival de Printemps in Azzemour, Morocco. Simão's diverse skills have him in demand as a music educator and clinician as well as a panel juror for the Canada Council for the Arts and FACTOR.

“A Luz” is made possible through the support of the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council and through the Canada Council for the Arts.